We spend the whole academic year gaining knowledge about our particular areas of study. And so it seems only right that we’d spend time doing the same–gaining knowledge–with regard to our faith. And reading and discussing thoughtful books most certainly helps us toward that goal.

So, check out the books we’re reading together this summer. AND join in a small group.

Night, by Elie Wiesel. This is a famous and haunting autobiographical account of a teenage boy’s years spent in Nazi death camps. For the Christian reader, it will beg many questions about the goodness of God, the evil present in humanity and more. The book group will meet once at the end of summer.

How Not to Be Secular, by James K A Smith is a philosophical guide to Charles Taylor’s seminal work, A Secular Age. Along with asking questions about our culture and present age, we’ll think together about how to not be secular. It’s not a novel concept. But it seems like it might be a novel (and worthwhile) discussion for our own commuinty. This book group will meet twice during the month of July.

Strong and Weak; Embracing a Life of Love, Risk and True Flourishing, by Andy Crouch makes the argument that, to live the Christian life well, we must pursue both strength and weakness. We must be willing to stand for what is true and suffer when necessary. True leaders, argues Crouch, are those who use their privilege and authority to lift up those who don’t share those things. This book group will meet twice during the month of August.

Teach Us To Pray, by Gordon T. Smith. This little book traces the movements of thanksgiving, confession and discernment as it describes the ways in which authentic prayer shapes us into people who truly desire to see God’s kingdom come and his will be done, on Earth as it is in Heaven. This book group will meet twice during the month of September.

The Next Evangelicalism: Freeing the Church from Western Cultural Captivity, by Soong-Chan Rah, examines the ways that the largely white, Western church has succumbed to the cultural traps of materialism and individualism. This has compromised the the witness of American Evangelicals. Rah looks to thriving immigrant, ethnic and multiethnic churches as he paints a picture of where the church needs to go to survive and thrive in the 21st century. This group will meet once monthly during July, August and September.

We praise God because God sees us.
Because God takes down the walls we build around ourselves
because God delights in us, is for us.

We praise because the sun shined today
and God made that.
We praise because mystery exists.
Because God has blessed.
Because we don’t live with sea monsters.

We praise because God rescues, all of us, all the time, every day.
We praise because even when we don’t praise, God is still God and we’re not.

We praise because music exists and God made that.

We praise because God isn’t going to let it all go to hell in a handbag.
Because God creates and sustains.

We praise God because God is the maker of each of us,
crazy, broken and beloved people.

Because God is good.
And God is God.

]]>http://students.washington.edu/gradcf/our-psalm-of-praise/feed/01162Morning Prayer in Lent 2018http://students.washington.edu/gradcf/morning-prayer-in-lent-2018/
http://students.washington.edu/gradcf/morning-prayer-in-lent-2018/#respondThu, 15 Mar 2018 17:20:21 +0000http://students.washington.edu/gradcf/?p=1133Continue reading "Morning Prayer in Lent 2018"]]>Over the course of Lent, morning prayers will included texts and prayers from the Revised Common Lectionary.

Our primary prayer is that God would guide us through the season of Lent in such a way that we might become ever more aware of our constant need for Easter.

Join us on Mondays at 8:30 at Chapel on the Ave.

]]>http://students.washington.edu/gradcf/morning-prayer-in-lent-2018/feed/01133Spring Quarter Series on the Psalmshttp://students.washington.edu/gradcf/spring-quarter-series-on-the-psalms/
http://students.washington.edu/gradcf/spring-quarter-series-on-the-psalms/#respondWed, 14 Mar 2018 16:52:16 +0000http://students.washington.edu/gradcf/?p=1114Continue reading "Spring Quarter Series on the Psalms"]]>

“Look on me and answer, Lord my God.” That’s the prayer of the psalmist, singing out to God, the “maker of heaven and earth, “our refuge and strength.”

The psalms. Though they’re ancient words it’s not hard to find a word in them that speaks what’s on our own minds today–be it praise, thanksgiving, the rawest of lament or even an expression of anger at the God who knows all and upholds all yet sometimes seems so unfortunately silent.

Why do these old prayers and songs still speak to our hearts and minds?

Join us this spring quarter as we seek to answer that question through the lens of music and theology.

Show me your ways, Lord,
teach me your paths.
Guide me in your truth and teach me,
for you are God my Savior,
and my hope is in you all day long.

The Lord’s Prayer
Our Father, who art in heaven,
hallowed be Thy name;
Thy kingdom come;
Thy will be done;
on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread
and forgive us our trespasses
as we forgive those who trespass against us.
And lead us not into temptation;
but deliver us from evil. Amen.

And can it be that I should gain
An int’rest in the Savior’s blood?
Died He for me, who caused His pain?
For me, who Him to death pursued?
Amazing love! How can it be?
That Thou, my God, should die for me?

God of wilderness and water,
your Son was baptized and tempted as we are.
Guide us through this season,
that we may not avoid struggle,
but open ourselves to blessing,
through the cleansing depths of repentance
and the heaven-rending words of the Spirit. Amen.

Blessing
May the peace of the Lord Christ go with you,
wherever he may send you.
May he guide you through the wilderness,
protect you through the storm.
May he bring you home rejoicing
at the wonders he has shown you.
May he bring you home rejoicing
once again.

Amen.

]]>1107Morning Prayer: December 4, 2017http://students.washington.edu/gradcf/morning-prayer-december-4-2017/
Mon, 04 Dec 2017 17:30:11 +0000http://students.washington.edu/gradcf/?p=1099Continue reading "Morning Prayer: December 4, 2017"]]>Join us in prayer as we head into this season of trusting and waiting!

Psalm 1:

Blessed is the one
who does not walk in step with the wicked
or stand in the way that sinners take
or sit in the company of mockers,
but whose delight is in the law of the Lord,
and who meditates on his law day and night.
That person is like a tree planted by streams of water,
which yields its fruit in season
and whose leaf does not wither—
whatever they do prospers.

Not so the wicked!
They are like chaff
that the wind blows away.Therefore the wicked will not stand in the judgment,
nor sinners in the assembly of the righteous.

For the Lord watches over the way of the righteous,
but the way of the wicked leads to destruction.

Prayer:

In peace, we pray to you, Lord God.

Silence

For all people in their daily life and work;For our families, friends, and neighbors, and for those who
are alone.

For this community, the nation, and the world;For all who work for justice, freedom, and peace.

For the just and proper use of your creation;For the victims of hunger, fear, injustice, and oppression.

For all who are in danger, sorrow, or any kind of trouble;For those who minister to the sick, the friendless, and the
needy.

For the peace and unity of the Church of God;For all who proclaim the Gospel, and all who seek the Truth.

Silence

Hear us, Lord;For your mercy is great.

We thank you, Lord, for all the blessings of this life.

We will exalt you, O God our King;And praise your Name for ever and ever.

We pray for all who have died, that they may have a place in
your eternal kingdom.Silence

Lord, let your loving-kindness be upon them;Who put their trust in you.

We pray to you also for the forgiveness of our sins.

Have mercy upon us, most merciful Father;
in your compassion forgive us our sins,
known and unknown,
things done and left undone;
and so uphold us by your Spirit
that we may live and serve you in newness of life,
to the honor and glory of your Name;
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Psalm 2:

Why do the nations conspireand the peoples plot in vain?The kings of the earth rise upand the rulers band togetheragainst the Lord and against his anointed, saying,“Let us break their chainsand throw off their shackles.”

The One enthroned in heaven laughs;the Lord scoffs at them.He rebukes them in his angerand terrifies them in his wrath, saying,“I have installed my kingon Zion, my holy mountain.”

I will proclaim the Lord’s decree:

He said to me, “You are my son;today I have become your father.Ask me,and I will make the nations your inheritance,the ends of the earth your possession.You will break them with a rod of iron;you will dash them to pieces like pottery.”

Therefore, you kings, be wise;be warned, you rulers of the earth.Serve the Lord with fearand celebrate his rule with trembling.Kiss his son, or he will be angryand your way will lead to your destruction,for his wrath can flare up in a moment.Blessed are all who take refuge in him.

Benediction:

O heavenly Father, who has filled the world with beauty: Open our eyes to behold your gracious hand in all your works; that, rejoicing in your whole creation, we may learn to serve you with gladness; for the sake of him through whom all things were made, your Son Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

]]>1099Morning Prayer: November 27, 2017http://students.washington.edu/gradcf/week-_-morning-prayer/
Mon, 27 Nov 2017 19:09:34 +0000http://students.washington.edu/gradcf/?p=1094Continue reading "Morning Prayer: November 27, 2017"]]>This morning’s prayer is a reflection on God’s unwavering, always accessible presence. As students head into the busy final weeks of the quarter, we are reflecting on finding connection to God in all moments and through all activities.

Psalm 27: 1, 4-5, 7-8

The Lord is my light and my salvation—
whom shall I fear?
The Lord is the stronghold of my life—
of whom shall I be afraid?

One thing I ask from the Lord,
this only do I seek:
that I may dwell in the house of the Lord
all the days of my life,
to gaze on the beauty of the Lord
and to seek him in his temple.

For in the day of trouble
he will keep me safe in his dwelling;
he will hide me in the shelter of his sacred tent
and set me high upon a rock.

Hear my voice when I call, Lord;
be merciful to me and answer me.My heart says of you, “Seek his face!”
Your face, Lord, I will seek.

Reflection from Brother Lawrence

We must try to converse with God in little ways as we do our work; not in memorized prayer, not trying to recite previously formed thoughts. Rather, we should purely and simply reveal our hearts as the words come to us.

—

Whatever we do, even if we are reading the Word or praying, we should stop for a few minutes – as often as possible – to praise God from the depths of our hearts, to enjoy Him there in secret. Since we believe that God is always with us, no matter what we may be doing, why shouldn’t we stop for awhile to adore Him, to praise Him, to petition Him, to offer Him our hearts, and to thank Him?

What could please God more than for us to leave the cares of the world temporarily in order to worship Him in our spirits? These momentary retreats serve to free us from our selfish-ness, which can only exist in the world. In short, we cannot show our loyalty to God more than by renouncing our worldly selves as much as a thousand times a day to enjoy even a single moment with Him.

This doesn’t mean we must ignore the duties of the world forever; that would be impossible. Let prudence be our guide. However, I do believe that it is a common mistake of the Spirit-filled people not to leave the cares of the world periodically to praise God in their spirits and to rest in the peace of His divine presence for a few moments.

Prayer

Oh, the majesty and magnificence of Your presence!Oh, the beauty of Your sanctuary!

Give to the Lord honor and offeringsFor great are You, Lord, and greatly to be praised.
Give to the Lord glory and honor –The glory and honor due to Your name!

We enter Your gates with thanksgiving, and Your courts with praise.To be in your presence, Lord, is joy.

Where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom.To be in your presence, Lord, is to be free.
You bless Your people with peace.In Your presence is peace that surpasses our understanding.

We earnestly seek the presence of the Lord all day long.Joy, freedom, and peace are the hallmarks of our lives.
Daily we carry the presence of the Lord with us,And this mystery is Christ in us, the hope of glory.

Daily we acknowledge Christ, in all things;For in Him all things hold together.
Daily we reach out for You, Lord, and find You, for You are not far from us.In You we live and move and have our being. We are Your children.

Amen

]]>1094Fall Quarter Small Group Series – A Light in the Darknesshttp://students.washington.edu/gradcf/fall-quarter-small-group-series-a-light-in-the-darkness/
http://students.washington.edu/gradcf/fall-quarter-small-group-series-a-light-in-the-darkness/#respondWed, 20 Sep 2017 17:34:07 +0000http://students.washington.edu/gradcf/?p=1072Continue reading "Fall Quarter Small Group Series – A Light in the Darkness"]]>A Light in the Darkness – Studies in the writings of St. John

As we learn the news of what’s going on in the world around us–earthquakes, flooding, hurricanes, threats of nuclear war, a serious refugee crisis and so much more–we do indeed long for Christ to come and bring the sort of healing light to the world that only Christ can.

It’s for this reason that this fall quarter, in our small group series, we’ll press into texts that remind us of Christ’s light.

We hope that in remembering how Christ is our light in this dark world, we might feel comforted. And we hope that we might be inspired to be a light in this dark world–on our beloved UW campus, working for justice in our departments, lifting up the oppressed, and being beacons of hope and safety for our friends and neighbors here and around the world.

If you’re a grad student at UW, join us Thursday evenings this fall quarter, starting September 28 for our always-free, community meal at 6 and small groups at 7. It’s never too late in the quarter to join in a small group.

This fall, as Jesus is light to us, we’ll be light to one another.

]]>http://students.washington.edu/gradcf/fall-quarter-small-group-series-a-light-in-the-darkness/feed/01072Thursday nights in summer!http://students.washington.edu/gradcf/thursday-nights-in-summer/
Fri, 16 Jun 2017 18:16:31 +0000http://students.washington.edu/gradcf/?p=851Continue reading "Thursday nights in summer!"]]>We continue to meet on a bi-weekly schedule over the summer for Thursday night community dinner. Following dinner we’ll be discussing the articles that made us go “huh” over the past academic year with local faculty friends and authors. See below for links to the articles (please read beforehand) and discussion hosts.

June 22, Kick off BBQ

June 29, A discussion lead by Dr. James Wellman (Chair of UW Comparative Religion) on his recent articles:

September 7, a discussion on a yet-to-be-decided article that made you go “huh.”

]]>851Summer Book Groupshttp://students.washington.edu/gradcf/summer-book-groups-2017/
Fri, 16 Jun 2017 17:20:22 +0000http://students.washington.edu/gradcf/?p=842Continue reading "Summer Book Groups"]]>In the summer, GCF reads! Beginning in July and going through mid-September, there will be several ongoing book groups with regular, weekly or bi-weekly meetings. If you want to join a book group, let us know soon.